MARK Lewarne said he is "delighted" to have qualified for the Aquathlon World Championships in Chicago after finishing second at the national race held in Falmouth.

The Penryn College teacher picked up silver in the 30-34 age group behind Truro's David Bartlett in Sunday's race and earned a spot in the England team for the competition taking place out in the USA in September.

Gyllyngvase beach hosted the English national race with hundreds of spectators watching competitors swim 750m in the sea before running 5km on the surrounding roads.

A fast tempo was set during the race as the field battled for a spot in the team heading out to Chicago.

Bartlett came out on top with a time of 28.51, but Lewarne's time of 32.53 was later confirmed as a time good enough to qualify for the World Championships.

Speaking to the Packet, Lewarne said: "I am absolutely delighted to have made it into the squad and I am really looking forward to competing in Chicago.

"I had to keep up with the extremely fast pace of the swim, but I was able to settle into the run even though the race was a bit shorter than what I am used to doing.

"Now I'm looking ahead to Chicago and I know that in order to succeed, I must train harder and move up that extra level to get to the standard I want to be at."

He praised race winner Bartlett, who is his training partner.

Alongside Lewarne, the Redruth school teacher will not be heading out to the World Championships with his focus shifting on the British Elite Super Series and the British Championship taking place in Liverpool later this month.

Both Lewarne and Bartlett will also be heading out to Budapest in August for an ironman triathlon event.

"David is one of the top athletes in the country," Lewarne said.

"It is fantastic for Cornwall as a country that two local athletes finished in the top two."

The former European surf lifesaving also praised his sponsors and the help provided by junior members of the Gylly Surf Lifesaving Club during the race.

Lewarne said: "I would like to pay tribute to my sponsors Maen Karne who have been great in financially supporting me this year and reach my goal for the world championships.

"Also a thank you to all the volunteers from gylly surf lifesaving club who provided the water cover and safety for the event on Sunday morning."

The Falmouth triathlon, part of the Cornwall Tri Series, was held alongside the aquathlon.